Outcry as Huw Edwards avoids jail over child abuse images
Public anger as ex-BBC star avoids prison for child abuse images
The mother of a teenager groomed by Huw Edwards has raised concerns about potential other victims after the former BBC presenter avoided prison, despite his phone never being examined.
Edwards, 63, faced Westminster Magistrates’ Court, admitting to possessing 41 indecent images of children, sent to him by a paedophile via WhatsApp. These included seven category A images, the most severe classification, with two depicting a child aged between seven and nine.
Instead of prison, Edwards received a six-month suspended sentence, which has sparked public outrage. However, such leniency is not uncommon. The BBC star’s remorse, mental health issues, and prison overcrowding might have influenced the decision. Yet, the mother of a young man, whom Edwards paid £35,000 for explicit photos, criticised the police for not examining his phone and laptop.
Huw Edwards paid for 41 images of children, some between 7 and 9 years old, showing penetration.
He is NOT expected to receive a custodial sentence.
Three years for a tweet, though.. pic.twitter.com/n2mVhlHrnJ
— Rob Boyd, Esq (@AvonandsomerRob) September 16, 2024
“I’m devastated Edwards hasn’t gone to prison for his actions. He exploited children for his own sick ends and should have been jailed,” she expressed. She questioned why rioters receive harsher punishments while paedophiles sharing child abuse images do not.
The mother also criticised the police for their slow response. “It’s shocking that police didn’t seize the phone used to receive the child abuse images. How many more victims are out there?” she wondered. Her son’s stepfather has written to his MP, demanding to meet BBC Director General Tim Davie. He criticised both the BBC for not suspending Edwards without pay from the start and the police for their delayed actions.
Liam Kotrie, a criminal defence solicitor at Mary Monson Solicitors, mentioned that first-time offenders rarely face jail time. However, he found it unusual that Edwards, who had received a Category A image, was not sentenced in crown court or given a sexual harm prevention order.
“I’ve never heard of a Category A image case being sentenced in magistrates court. It’s very unusual. And not receiving a sexual harm prevention order is rare,” Kotrie said. During his sentencing, Edwards appeared distressed, staring at the ground. He sighed as he received his suspended sentence and left the courtroom with a broad smile, accompanied by his legal team. A mugshot showed him looking gaunt with silver stubble.
Former BBC colleagues expressed disgust over his crimes, believing he should have been imprisoned and returned the £200,000 he was paid post-arrest. BBC staff described Edwards as “thin-skinned” and demanded he face consequences. A BBC spokesperson stated, “We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed the BBC and its audience.” The BBC has been rocked by another child sex scandal following those involving Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. Animosity towards Edwards is high, with staff feeling he “played the system.”
Zoe Lambourne from Childlight highlighted the prevalence of online child sexual abuse, calling for joint action to prioritise child safety. The NSPCC’s Rani Govender emphasised the severity of such crimes and urged tech companies to implement measures to detect and disrupt the sharing of child abuse images.
Lynn Perry from Barnardo’s stressed the need for tech companies to prevent the sharing of abuse material and ensure victims receive specialist support. Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, criticised the disparity in sentencing, suggesting a two-tier criminal justice system that punishes Islamophobia more severely than paedophilia.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Wales Online – Huw Edwards sentenced for making indecent images of children, marking a devastating fall from grace for the former BBC news anchor after decades of public service. (Read more)
- Aseannow reports Huw Edwards given suspended sentence over indecent images of children, emphasizing the severity of the charges and the BBC’s response to the scandal. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What crimes did Huw Edwards commit?
Huw Edwards admitted to possessing 41 indecent images of children sent by a paedophile on WhatsApp.
Why wasn’t Huw Edwards jailed despite his crimes?
Factors like remorse, mental health issues, and prison overcrowding likely influenced the decision to spare him jail.
Why is the victim’s mother upset with the police?
She is upset because the police didn’t examine Edwards’ phone, potentially missing the chance to identify more victims.
Did Huw Edwards receive a sexual harm prevention order?
No, it is very rare he didn’t receive a sexual harm prevention order for possessing Category A images.
What has been the response from the BBC regarding Huw Edwards?
The BBC stated they are appalled by his crimes and feel betrayed by Edwards.
